Jared Goff breaks down 'backyard ball' touchdown to Josh Reynolds

Josh Reynolds had only played 84 snaps prior to Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints, proving to be more of a role player than a key contributor. The main reason for that is the fact that he was blocked by Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp on the depth chart.

In Week 12, the rookie got his first big shot by playing a total of 61 snaps – just three fewer than Watkins and the same number as Kupp. He didn’t disappoint, either. Reynolds caught four of six targets for 37 yards and a touchdown, the first of his career.

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On that particular play that resulted in a 7-yard score, Reynolds wasn’t Jared Goff’s first read. He probably wasn’t even the second, either. However, with very little pressure in Goff’s face, he was able to buy time and allow his receivers to break open. Reynolds came across the middle, Goff directed him to the left and the two connected for a touchdown.

“Yeah, it was a little backyard ball, you know? Just had what’s called ‘drop eight’ — they rushed three and dropped eight. And most of the time when that happens, it’s going to be an off-schedule throw,” Goff said. “I saw him go over the ball over the middle, saw a linebacker on him with his back turned, and kind of pointed to him, ‘Go that way.’ And sure enough, he did, and was open.”

The Saints’ lack of a pass rush allowed that play to happen. While they held up in coverage initially after dropping eight, Goff simply had too much time to survey the field and find the open receiver.

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Credit to Reynolds for being heady and noticing the lapse in coverage in the middle of the field, with a little help from Goff, of course. When the play was called, Reynolds didn’t even think the ball would come his way.

“Play was definitely not designed to go to me and that’s probably one of the last plays I ever thought I would get the ball on,” Reynolds said. “So to be able to get a score and touchdown in your first start in a game and then to be able to win that game, it’s amazing.”

The Rams may be a young team – one of the youngest in the NFL, actually – but they have great chemistry, as evidenced by this play. Despite losing Robert Woods, the Rams didn’t miss a beat offensively thanks to the play of Watkins, Kupp and Reynolds. Their depth at wide receiver is among the best in the league.

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